Chile:
Atacama
4 Days/3 Nights
Departs Daily from Calama
3 Nights Includes
• Roundtrip Airport Transfers
• 3 Nights Accommodations
• Guided Tours
• All Meals OR All-Inclusive
The great Atacama Desert in the north of Chile is the most arid desert in the world,
and an important archaeological zone. It is a region of dramatic scenery with towering
volcanoes, salt flats and unusual rock formations. The high Altiplano offers such unique
natural phenomena as the Tatio Geysers, and Moon Valley. The charming town of San
Pedro de Atacama is an oasis of adobe houses at the edge of a salt lake. It is also the
cradle of the Atacama culture during the pre-Columbian period. This unique town, with
an altitude of 10,170 feet is the gateway to exploring this spectacular region in northern
Chile.
Day 1 ˜ Arrive Atacama: Meet and assist at
the Calama Airport. Continue to San Pedro de
Atacama, 64 miles from Calama. If arriving in
the morning, guests may choose an afternoon
excursion. Overnight. (Lunch, Dinner, Accommodations, Atacama)
Days 2 and 3 ˜ Atacama: After breakfast, select
your excursions for the day. Overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Accommodations, Atacama)
Day 4 ˜ Depart Atacama: After breakfast,
transfer to airport in Calama. (Breakfast, Atacama)
Excursion Options
Toconao-Atacama Salt Flat: The tour begins
with a visit to Toconao, a lovely Andean
village known for its houses made of white
volcanic stone. Then, continue to the fertile
Jeria gorge to walk through its orchards,
which offer a striking contrast with the
arid desert. The farmers here grow apples,
pomegranates, almonds and grapes. Visit
the impressive Atacama Salt Flats and the
site of many ponds that provide a habitat for
migratory birds and flamingos. The tour ends
at the Chaxa Lagoon, a major breeding site
for pink flamingos.
Moon Valley: The underground salts and
carbonates of Moon Valley are responsible
for the interesting sandstone formations
found in the area. Sunset in the valley is an
unforgettable experience with a spectacular
view of the colorful eroded mountains
and the Andes mountain range. Equally as
memorable is the opportunity of seeing a full
moon over the Valley.
San Pedro de Atacama Archaeological Walking Tour: Visit to the Archaeological Museum
of San Pedro de Atacama, considered to be
one of the finest in the country. It houses an
important anthropological collection from the
Atacamena culture. Of special interest are the
mummies. After your visit to the museum,
stroll through town where your guide will
point out buildings of interest, as well as a
stop at the local handcrafts market.
Geisers del Tatio: Depart early for an
excursion to the highlands of the Andes to
see what has been rated as the highest geyser
field in the world. The drive ascends to 14,760
feet before arriving at the El Tatio Geysers,
an amazing geothermal field with majestic
volcanoes in the background. It is important
to arrive before dawn because the fumaroles
can only be seen under the first rays of the
sun. Enjoy a guided stroll to observe small
geysers and scalding mud craters which
show different colors due to the presence of
minerals in the water. After lunch, the return
drive will take you across the imposing
landscapes of the Andes mountain range
flanked by the Tocorpuri and Sairecahur
volcanoes.
Atacama’s Ruins: Visit the indigenous Pukara
of Quitar, a 12th century fortress nestled on
a hill above the San Pedro River. Afterwards,
continue to Tulor, the remains of a 2,800-yearold village built with clay and buried by the
desert sands.
Note: Many more excursion options are
available.
For information and reservations, please see your professional agent.
Enter Agency Contact Information Here
Chile
Atacama
01/21/2014